[Obituary: Dr René Favaloro (1923-2000)]

René Favaloro MD, was born in La Plata, Argentina, in July 1923. He studied medicine in La Plata and made his cardiology residence in the Cleveland Clinic, where he developed coronary bypass surgery for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. At the present time, this surgical procedure is a well recognized therapy for coronary artery disease that has benefited millions of patients. Back in Argentina, he founded in 1992 the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery that had an important research and teaching activity. Dr Favaloro wanted to be remembered as a teacher rather than as a surgeon, but he really was a great Master of Surgery in the Americas.